The Infamous Math Placement Exam (MPE): What you need to know

Okay, so... word on the street is that there's a lot of confusion concerning the MPE - who needs to take it, how and when to take it, blah blah blah. Here's what you need to know!

Do I need to take the exam?If you have received any email or postcard from RIT that says so, then yes. If you haven't received either, but are still unsure or concerned, then check this list of majors that require calculus credit for graduation. If you see your program, you need to take it!

What about AP credit? SAT/ACT scores?Regardless of your scores or AP results, you need to take the exam. However, AP credits have the potential to earn credit once they've been assessed by your department.

Practice exam? Nahhh...Take it. It'll help you to understand how to answer the questions in the browser, and warm you up. For some of us, math is still a foreign language (ahem...). Be advised, there are a few reported bugs within the practice exam, but ONLY the practice exam.

How much time do I need?The exam itself is 30 questions over 60 minutes. Allow yourself a total of 90 minutes for the practice exam.

When do I need to take the exam?Before June 30. I strongly suggest that you take it sooner than later. If you forget, RIT won't - you will be pulled from your Orientation experience to take the exam with everyone else who forgot. How embarassing...

Bottom line: The MPE is a quick assessment to guage where you should be for required math courses. It has no affect on your GPA, and will benefit you in the long run. Click here to login in (using your RIT username/password). If you have any other questions, see the FAQ.